Practical microwave-assisted solid-state synthesis of the spinel LiMn2O4

•Short-time synthesis of LiMn2O4 in a practical setup using a domestic microwave oven.•LiMn2O4 was obtained in only 3 min of microwave-assisted solid state reaction.•LiMn2O4 cathodes presented good electrochemical performance.•Crystalline and single phase LiMn2O4 was synthesized with an energy saving method.

The spinel LiMn2O4 was obtained by a microwave-assisted solid-state reaction between LiOH·H2O and ε-MnO2 in a practical setup using a domestic microwave oven. XRD analyses showed that the spinel LiMn2O4 was obtained as a single phase after only 3 min of microwave heating. SEM micrographs revealed particles having a prismatic morphology and sizes in the 0.5–1.5 μm range. The characteristic voltammetric profile of the spinel LiMn2O4 was obtained for the synthesized material, while its charge − discharge tests presented good electrochemical stability and a significant initial specific capacity (95 mA h g− 1) at a high discharge rate (C/1). These results indicate that a rapid and facile microwave-assisted synthesis can yield the spinel LiMn2O4 with adequate properties to be used as a cathode material in lithium-ion batteries.